SA: MTV Base to air music edutainment show

AMPD Studios Live will air on MTV Base (DStv channel 322) from 29 July at 9.30pm CAT, and BET (DStv channel 129) from 1 August at 6.30pm CAT.

Featured artists on the programme will include Sipho ‘Hotstix’ Mabuze, Yvonne Chaka Chaka, DJ Tira, Khuli Chana, Letta Mbulu and Busiswa, who will share their trials, tribulations and lessons over 10 weeks. The show aims to mentor upcoming creatives with information on financial education and provide them with tools they need in order to progress their careers. The artists will discuss topics like The Secrets of Building a Business in Music, The Building Blocks Behind SA’s Biggest Careers, and Publishing, Contracts and Tax.

"We live in unprecedented times where innovation and creativity are the new gold," ViacomCBS Networks Africa senior vice-president and general manager Monde Twala said. "We pursued this partnership for a while and are thrilled to bring this powerful edutainment format to TV screens across the continent. AMPD Studios, MTV Base and BET share a passion for African youth culture and music excellence. This is a powerful opportunity for knowledge sharing and financial music industry education.”

Owned by Old Mutual, AMPD Studios are envisioned to help build powerful infrastructure for the South African entertainment industry. The studios are also tasked with creating a networking space for aspiring artists and entrepreneurs who have a strong desire to break into the creative scene.

Located in Newttown, Johannesburg, AMPD Studios feature a state-of-the-art recording studio, full performance stage, boardroom, co-work space, post-production facilities and a VIP workspace.

“Music has the power to not only change a mood but a person’s perspective and even their environment,” Old Mutual head of brand Thobile Tshabalala said. “The presence or the lack of money tends to do the same thing. As Old Mutual, we have over 175 years of experience in enabling people to understand and achieve their financial goals. This show provides us with another innovative way to champion mutually positive futures for the youth of our continent.”